Manchester United in serious talks with PSG Brazilian ahead of likely transfer

As many will know, Manchester United have been on the lookout for a central defender. With Vidic having already signed with Inter Milan and Rio Ferdinand most probably retiring at the end of the season, some would see their hunt as understandable.

Names such as Eliaquim Mangala, Kurt Zouma (now signed by Chelsea) or even Ezequiel Garay have been thrown around by the European press as potential replacements for the current Manchester old guard.

One name, however, that we never expected to see linked with the Premier League champions is Alex. That's the current PSG and ex-Chelsea centre-back Alex.

The ageing Brazilian centre-back is currently enjoying an admirable season with the French club alongside fellow countryman Thiago Silva, but with only 3 months left on his contract, it seems unlikely that Alex will be at PSG next season. That's despite Thiago Silva doing his best to persuade the club to make an offer.

This means that since January, Alex has been free to talk to clubs in order to discuss a potential free transfer in the summer, and according to Le10 Sport, one of those clubs is Manchester United.

The French magazine believes that, despite early worries surrounding his ability to still play at the highest level, the Premier League club have been convinced with his performances this season and see Alex as the perfect opportunity to sign a world-class centre back on a free transfer.

As for Alex himself, Le10 understand that the Brazilian centre-back would prefer to stay at Paris Saint-Germain and remain alongside his good friend Thiago Silva, but PSG's reluctance to offer him a two year contract has led him to start looking elsewhere. Serious talks have been held with the current Premier League champions and Alex could very well accept Manchester United's offer if PSG do not accept his demands.

Rumours from Italy suggest that AC Milan are also interested in the ageing centre-back and could potentially try and disrupt any move by Manchester United, but with the season AC Milan have been having, even Manchester United seems a better option at this moment in time.

Personally, we feel this is a bit far-fetched, but crazier things have happened in the transfer market over the past few years. We'll keep an eye open for this one over the next few months.